Generic Preventive Measures - Checklist

To assist States with the implementation of Article 9 and Part 3 of the Technical Annex, in 2009 the then Coordinator on Generic Preventive Measures, Colonel Jean-Christophe Le Roux of France, developed a questionnaire which serves as a checklist for States to consider when they are developing procedures, guidelines or regulations on the implementation of generic preventive measures. The checklist has been reproduced in full below. It can also be found in Protocol V document CCW/P.V/CONF/2010/6/Add.1, 11 November 2010. Essentially the checklist is a tool to facilitate the implementation of generic preventive measures. While it does not have any legal status, it is hoped that the checklist will clarify various issues, establish best practises and serve to monitor and improve the implementation of generic preventive measures at the national level.

1. Specification

2. Concept

3. Development

Reducing UXO sensitivity(a) Does the fusing system design include features to prevent initiation of the explosive train (e.g. through depletion of electrical energy) after the operating time of the fusing system has expired? How long does it take for the fusing system of the UXO to become inoperable e.g. for the firing electric energy to be depleted to a level below the minimum current required to initiate the detonator (i.e. non fire current level)? (b) Does the fusing system incorporate fail-safe design (safe state of the fusing system in case of failure) or sterilisation (e.g. : initiate the primary explosive element in its safe position or deplete energy of the ignition capacitor in order to prevent detonation of the main charge, avoid inadvertent charging of ignition capacitor)? (c) Have the least sensitive/ most stable explosive components been used in the explosive train (fusing system, main charge…)?

Reducing potential civilian casualties from ERW

Qualification work

4. Production

5. Utilisation - 5.1 Storage(a) Do the storage conditions meet the specified military requirements? (b) Are munitions stored in compliance with a recognised storage regulation to maintain munitions reliability and safety? For example GICHD A Guide to Ammunition Storage or equivalent (c) Where munitions temporarily cannot be stored in accordance with regulations e.g. in temporary tactical deployments is there a risk reduction procedure such as “As Low As is Reasonably Practicable” that can be followed (e.g. : temperature and humidity surveillance, …) (d) Are storage sites inspected to ensure that risk reduction procedures such as “As Low As is Reasonably Practicable” are being followed? (e) Is there a procedure to manage stockpiles of munitions?